Brightspark Capital Partners Inc. announced on January 24, 2005 that it had completed the first closing of a new venture capital fund, Brightspark Ventures II LP, with initial commitments in excess of $50 million. Brightspark Ventures II will make equity investments in early-stage software companies focused on high growth markets such as communications, infrastructure and enterprise software. Investors in the fund include Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, EdgeStone Capital Partners, Export Development Canada, and the Solidarity Fund QFL.

The investors were represented by Paul Harris and David Torralbo of Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP in Montreal.